Some Welfare Assessment Traits and Quantitative-Qualitative Milk Parameters as Affected by Supplementary Feeding at Milking and Parity in Anatolian Buffalo Cows

TL;DR

Supplemental feeding during milking improves milk quality and cow welfare in Anatolian buffalo cows, regardless of their calving history.

Contribution

This study demonstrates that supplemental feeding during milking enhances milk yield and quality in confined Anatolian buffalo cows by improving welfare indicators.

Findings

Supplemental feeding improved temperament, udder hygiene, and body condition scores in buffalo cows.

Milk yield, fat content, and fat-to-protein ratio were higher in supplemented cows.

Milk mineral and electrical conductivity were lower in supplemented cows.

Abstract

A critical issue is the significant decrease in productivity and heightened consumer awareness caused by the inadequate welfare of confined lactating water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). Providing supplementary feeding during milking (SFAM) helps alleviate the adverse effects of stall confinement on milk quality by enhancing welfare indicators like udder hygiene, body condition and milking behaviour. Additionally, SFAM has comparable benefits for second and third-calving buffalo cows. Implementing SFAM for barn-confined buffalo cows improves production outcomes, regardless of parity, positively impacting consumer perception.

This study aimed to evaluate whether supplemental feeding at milking (SFAM) positively influences the quantitative−qualitative milk parameters due to improving some welfare assessment traits of multiparous Anatolian buffalo cows confined in semi-open free-stall barns. A total of 76 Anatolian buffalo cows at approximately 90 days in milk were selected to encompass four groups (OSF-2nd, NSF-2nd, OSF-≥3rd and NSF-≥3rd), considering offering (OSF) or not (NSF) supplemental feed at milking and the parity (2nd) and (≥3rd). Data of evaluated variables such as the following ones—(i) subjectively scored welfare assessment traits (temperament, udder hygiene and body condition), (ii) milk yield per milking (MYM), (iii) milk components, and (iv) milk physical traits—were analysed using a linear mixed model and principal component (PC) analysis. The OSF improved the temperament, udder hygiene and body condition scores compared to the NSF. The MYM, the fat content and the fat-to-protein ratio of the OSF were higher than those of the NSF, but milk mineral and electrical conductivity of the OSF were lower than those of the NSF. The parity of cows did not affect the evaluated variables. Four parameters (milk density value and lactose, solids-not-fat and protein contents) could be identified in the PC2 versus PC1 plot. In conclusion, the SFAM enhanced the milk yield and qualitative milk parameters due to improving the welfare status of indoor buffalo cows, regardless of parity.

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